It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.

They will be a source of strength and joy in your life.

Anything that causes such a feeling.

the joys and demands of parenthood

Bible, 1 Thess. ii. 20

Ye are our glory and joy.

Keats

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

(obsolete) The sign or exhibition of joy; gaiety; merriment; festivity.

for oftymes or this oure lord shewed hym vnto good men and vnto good knyghtes in lykenes of an herte But I suppose from hens forth ye shalle see no more / and thenne they Ioyed moche / and dwelled ther alle that day / And vpon the morowe whan they had herde masse / they departed and commaunded the good man to god

1885, Sir Richard Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 18:

I swore readily enough to this and he joyed with exceeding joy and embraced me round the neck while love for him possessed my whole heart.